两

• 拼音: liǎng
• 汉字拆解: 两 = originally a pictograph of a balanced scale — two equal parts, hence 'two'

含义

Two. Used before measure words instead of 二 when counting quantities.

The standard way to say 'two' when specifying quantities with a measure word (两个人 = two people, 两本书 = two books). Different from 二, which is used for ordinal numbers, phone numbers, and maths. This distinction is a key beginner concept.

例句

1. 我有两个朋友。
2. 他买了两本书。
3. 两个人一起去吧。

用法指南

语境: numbers, quantities, everyday

语气: neutral

正确说法

• 两个小时。(Two hours.)
• 我要两杯咖啡。(I want two cups of coffee.)

错误说法

• 二个人。(Before measure words, use 两 not 二 — say 两个人)

起源与历史

Originally depicted a balance scale with two equal pans, representing the concept of 'a pair' or 'two of something.'

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal